Omega Speedmaster Professional
The Omega Speedmaster Professional is a wristwatch from the Swiss company Omega, which is now part of the Swatch Group . It is known to have been the first (but not the only) wristwatch on the moon . It is also often referred to as the "moon watch", "moon watch" or "astronaut watch". The Omega Speedmaster Professional is considered the most tested watch in the world. In addition to the “Professional”, there are other Speedmaster models, some of which have different housing shapes or different functions such as date or automatic winding.
The clock
The Omega Speedmaster Professional is a mechanical wrist chronograph with manual winding. The classic stainless steel version of the Speedmaster Professional has a hesalite glass and is water-resistant to 50 meters , there are also stainless steel versions with sapphire glass and co-axial movement with date display , and gold cases.
The watch has changed little since the first Speedmaster. From 1942, the caliber 321 with column wheel was the first Omega chronograph movement with a twelve-hour counter, later the caliber 861 with gate control and for watches with a sight glass in the back, the caliber 863 was used, which has an improved finish . With slight changes, the calibers 1861 and 1863 have now emerged. The shape of the hands has changed marginally over the years. The shape of the case has also been modified somewhat ( crown protection , lugs).
The current version of the steel band consists of five parts, rows 1, 3 and 5 are brushed, rows 2 and 4 are polished.
Reference numbers
The designation of the individual models follows the reference number that is engraved on the case back. The first model from 1946 had numerous references, including the number OT 2466.
| year | Reference numbers |
|---|---|
| 1957 | CK 2915 1-3 |
| 1959 | CK 2998 1-6, 61, 62 |
| 1962 | ST 105.002 |
| 1963 | ST 105.003 |
| 1963 | ST 105.012 |
| 1966 | ST 145.003 |
| 1966 | ST 145.012 |
| 1968 | ST 145.022 (introduction of the new cal. 861 instead of cal. 321) |
| 1969 | ST 145.014 (steel) ST 145.034 (gold) - Speedmaster MARK II |
| 1971 | ST 145.037 - Speedmaster MARK II Telestop |
| 1971 | ST 176.0002 - Speedmaster MARK III (cal. 1040) |
| 1972 | MD 145.0034 (plaque) BA 145.0034 (gold) - Speedmaster MARK II |
| 1973 | ST 378.0801 - Speedmaster 125 Automatic Chronometer (Cal. 1041) |
| 1973 | ST 176.0009 - Speedmaster MARK IV (cal. 1040) |
| 1973 | ST 188.0002 (leather strap) ST 388.08000 (metal strap) - Speedsonic with tuning fork 1255 |
| 1974 | ST 145.022-74 |
| 1974 | ST 176.0012 (cal. 1045) |
| 1974 | ST 176.0014 (cal. 1045) |
| 1974 | ST 176.0015 (cal. 1045) |
| 1974 | ST 176.0016 (cal. 1045) |
| 1975 | ST 145.022 |
| 1984 | ST 376.0806 - Speedmaster MARK V (so-called German version with caliber 1045) |
| 1985 | ST 345.0809 moon phase (cal. 866) |
| 1987 | ST 376.0822 - so-called Holy Grail with caliber 1045 |
| 1989 | ST 145.0022 |
| 1997 | ST 3870.50.31 (cal. 1861) |
The reference of the classic variant produced today is 311.30.42.30.01.005. There are also Speedmaster models with other calibers (movements 1040-1045) that have other numbers. These are mainly the successors of the Mark II, III, IV and V and many more. Models from the 1960s and early 1970s are coveted collector's items today, especially when they are in a true-to-original condition.
variants
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A scaled down (and cheaper) version of the Professional was the Omega Speedmaster Reduced (caliber 3220). Its diameter has been reduced to 39.1 mm without the crown and the surface finish is not as complex as on the original. It has an automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve and was available in different versions - for example with a date display. The model was no longer officially offered by Omega from 2012.
history
Former NASA employee James H. Ragan revealed in 2014 that he inquired about wristwatches from several manufacturers on behalf of the space agency in the 1960s. These watches should meet certain criteria that have been communicated to the manufacturers. The timepieces sent in were tested and checked by NASA.
On October 3, 1962, the watch was in space for the first time with astronaut Walter Schirra on board Mercury-Atlas 8 . He wore the second generation of the Speedmaster with the reference number CK 2998.
On March 1, 1965, after extensive tests, NASA decided that the Omega Speedmaster Professional was the only watch suitable for the manned space flight program. They gave it the title “flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions”. The tests by NASA that only this watch passed were u. a. Weightlessness , strong magnetic fields , extreme shocks and vibrations as well as temperature changes from minus 18 to plus 93 degrees Celsius. Already on March 23, 1965, it was used in the Gemini 3 mission .
On June 3, 1965, Ed White wore a 105.003 Speedmaster for the first American EVA, a space exit in which the watch was exposed to space conditions for the first time without protection.
On July 21, 1969, the Speedmaster was the first watch on the moon. It was not on Neil Armstrong's wrist , but on Buzz Aldrin's wrist . Since the watch of the Lunar Module ( i.e. the Apollo lunar module ) broke when descending on the moon , Neil Armstrong left his watch on the lander as a replacement device. So Buzz Aldrin's watch was the first watch on the moon. It was lost when Aldrin sent it to the National Air and Space Museum and has not appeared since. Extensive legal proceedings with an investigation into those involved in the Apollo 11 mission in June 2004 came to the conclusion that an alleged owner of that very watch owned a different watch. It is noticeable that until today NASA has not disclosed which unique features (engravings) the missing Aldrin watch has. Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins' two clocks are on display at the National Air and Space Museum today. This type of watch was also included in all other lunar flights. In April 1970, the Omega Speedmaster Professional was an important factor in the successful Apollo 13 rescue mission . The clock was needed for navigation after almost all systems on board had failed. NASA then awarded the watch the so-called " Snoopy Award ".
Small unique numbers were engraved on the back of the clocks so that each clock could be assigned to an astronaut. The Buzz Aldrin watch was numbered 43.
At the Apollo- Soyuz rendezvous in space in 1975, Alexei Leonov became the first Russian cosmonaut to wear the watch. It is possible that Leonow was not wearing the Speedmaster from Omega, but the second generation of the Flightmaster with the 911 caliber. In any case, he wears this watch in all of the well-known photos of this mission.
In 1978 NASA looked again for a watch that was suitable for the planned space shuttle program. Although more manufacturers took part in the public tender with their models than before and the tests were carried out even tougher, only the almost unchanged Omega Speedmaster Professional was the only watch that was able to successfully pass all tests.
In 1989 a contract was signed between the Omega company and the Russian space company Energia , which ensured that the Speedmaster would also be used by the cosmonauts.
In addition, the Russian space agency carried out various tests with watches on board the Mir space station between July 1993 and July 1994.
Current situation
The Omega Speedmaster Professional is still standard equipment for astronauts today and is v. a. used during outboard operations. The watch is worn over the spacesuit with a 640 mm long bracelet.
There are currently two Omega watches that have been certified by NASA for space flight (take-off and stay inside the spaceship) as of 2008: The Speedmaster Professional 3570.50.00 and the Speedmaster Professional X-33.
In addition, it is possible that the astronauts can also take a private watch with them. However, this must not be carried inside the spacesuit, as extreme situations can arise in the event of an emergency (e.g. strong pressures) which could cause the clock inside the spacesuit to burst. In the vacuum (EVA inserts) different regulations apply, here the Omega Speedmaster Professional is still the only approved watch.
NASA specifications
- Accuracy : The accuracy must be better than 5 seconds in 25 hours. A maximum of 2 seconds in 24 hours is desired.
- Pressure : The watch must withstand a pressure of 50 meters water depth.
- Legibility: All essential elements must be legible under different lighting conditions. The clock must be readable in red and white light, as well as with an illuminance of less than 5 lux . Either black numbers and pointers on a white background or vice versa are satisfactory. The clock must not be dazzling at high illuminance levels. A stainless steel case with a satin finish is preferred.
- The clock must have a start-stop option with the following time resolutions:
- Second to 1 minute
- Minute to 30 minutes
- Hour to 12 hours or greater
- The watch must be shockproof, waterproof and non-magnetic. In addition, the glass (plastic, with Omega Hesalit) must be splinter-free.
- The clock can be powered electrically, manually or self-winding - but it must also be possible to wind and reset manually.
- Reliability: The manufacturer must guarantee that the watch will function without problems for one year under normal conditions. Technical data and guarantee statements must be supplied by the manufacturer.
NASA test conditions
- High temperature: 48 hours at 71 ° C and then 30 minutes at 93 ° C. The pressure should be 0.35 atmospheres and the relative humidity should not be greater than 15%.
- Low temperature: 4 hours at −18 ° C.
- Temperature-pressure chamber: pressure minimum at 10 −6 atmospheres with an increase in temperature to 71 ° C. Then reduce the temperature to −18 ° C within 45 minutes and increase it again to 71 ° C over the next 45 minutes. 15 or more such cycles must be completed.
- Relative humidity : 240 hours in a range from 20 ° C to 71 ° C with a relative humidity of at least 95%. The steam should have a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
- Pure oxygen atmosphere: The watch is stored for 48 hours in a pure oxygen atmosphere at 0.35 bar pressure. The temperature is 71 ° C. Various types of damage to the watch (such as corrosion, release of toxic gases, etc.) are considered improper behavior.
- Shocks: Six shocks with an acceleration of 40 g in six different directions, each lasting 11 ms.
- Acceleration: Linear acceleration from 1 to 7.25 g in 333 seconds along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spaceship.
- Decompression: 90 minutes in a vacuum of 10 −6 atmospheres at a temperature of 71 ° C and 30 minutes at 93 ° C.
- High pressure: pressure of 1.6 bar for at least one hour.
- Vibration: Three cycles of 30 minutes each (side, horizontal, vertical) at a frequency of 5 to 2000 impacts per second and back to 5 impacts within 15 minutes. The average acceleration per impact must be at least 8.8 g.
- Volume: 130 dB with a frequency spectrum from 40 to 10000 Hz in 30 minutes.
literature
- Alan A. Nelson: The Moon Watch: A History of the Omega Speedmaster Professional. In: NAWCC Bulletin. Volume 35/1, No. 282, February 1993, pp. 33-38.
Web links
- Omega Speedmaster Collection
- The history of the Omega Speedmaster Professional
- Part 1 and Part 2 of a detailed description of the history of the Moonwatch and its movement
- Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronographs in NASA's Apollo Lunar Surface Journal (English)
- Brice Goulard: The truth about the real Armstrong's and Aldrin's Speedmaster references and how the Omega Speedmaster became the Moonwatch
- Report on missing pm Aldrin (English)
- Omega Speedmaster at NASA (English)
swell
- ↑ Dave Scott had to use his replacement watch on his third exit (EVA3) from Apollo 15 because his Speedmaster was damaged and instead wore a Bulova. See: Apollo Lunar Surface Journal, after 142: 14: 22
- ↑ Archived copy ( memento of the original from November 18, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
